The rehabilitated building will support a rigorous college‑preparatory academic program designed to prepare students for postsecondary success. The facility will include modern classrooms, science and technology labs, administrative offices, and academic support spaces tailored to high school–level instruction. The academic model emphasizes small class sizes, personalized support, and high expectations for students who are traditionally underrepresented in higher education.

The school will incorporate a corporate work‑study model that allows students to gain professional experience while helping offset the cost of tuition. Students will work part‑time with local employers across industries such as healthcare, finance, professional services, technology, and nonprofit organizations. Dedicated spaces within the building will support work‑study coordination and career readiness programming, reinforcing pathways to long‑term economic mobility.

The school will operate as a mission‑driven education organization focused exclusively on serving low‑income students. Enrollment is limited to students from households with demonstrated financial need, ensuring that the rehabilitated facility directly supports educational access and opportunity for underserved families across the Charleston region.

The project is sponsored by Metanoia, a North Charleston-based nonprofit community development organization founded in 2002 to address childhood poverty and long‑standing inequities in underinvested neighborhoods. Metanoia is minority‑controlled and governed by a board that includes neighborhood residents, ensuring that redevelopment efforts remain aligned with local priorities. As sponsor, Metanoia acquired the long‑vacant Chicora Graded School, led years of community engagement, and remained committed to the project despite significant challenges, including deferred maintenance, a fire, and rising construction costs. With deep roots in the Chicora‑Cherokee community, Metanoia brings a mission‑driven commitment to expanding educational access and economic opportunity.